"Companies that respond first to requests for quotes are often more likely to get the job. If sales reps can do that on the spot while they are at the customer site or on the phone with the customer,...
"Companies that respond first to requests for quotes are often more likely to get the job. If sales reps can do that on the spot while they are at the customer site or on the phone with the customer, it makes us that much more competitive." – Shawn Williams, Premier Press
Slow estimating costs print businesses jobs. It can cause delays, pricing inconsistencies, and even revenue loss. Additionally, miscalculations can lead to missed deadlines, unexpected costs, and unhappy clients.
The stakes in the print industry are high, and traditional manual estimating simply cannot keep up with increasing demand for speed, accuracy, and accessibility.
So how can print businesses stay ahead, improve operational efficiency, and empower their teams?
The answer is AI-driven estimating—and Print ePS is leading the way.
Contents
- The Challenges of Traditional Print Estimating
- How AI is Transforming Print Estimating
- AI in Action: The iQuote Advantage
- AI is the Future of Print Estimating. Are You Ready?
The Challenges of Traditional Print Estimating
Print estimating has historically relied on manual expertise and static data sources. While experienced estimators are skilled, traditional methods create significant challenges:
- Inconsistent Pricing – Different estimators may price the same job differently, leading to margin inconsistencies.
- Human Error – Small miscalculations can result in financial loss or production delays.
- Slow Turnaround – A lengthy estimating process delays responses to customers, putting jobs at risk.
With fluctuating material costs, complex production workflows, and rising customer expectations, the need for accuracy and efficiency is greater than ever.
According to NAPCO Research and PRINTING United Alliance, 38.3% of commercial printers are already using AI, and another 23.5% plan to integrate it within the next year.
If your print business isn’t leveraging AI, you risk falling behind.
How AI is Transforming Print Estimating
AI is already delivering measurable results in print operations. Research shows that AI adoption is expanding into customer analytics, sales, and risk management, proving that its impact goes beyond just estimating.
But what makes AI such a powerful tool?
AI Makes Estimating More Accurate and Accessible
AI-powered estimating isn’t just about speed—it’s about making the process simpler for a wider range of users.
Traditionally, estimating required deep production knowledge. Now, with AI-powered solutions, CSRs, sales reps, and even customers can generate fast, accurate estimates without needing extensive print expertise. Instead of relying on gut instinct, AI analyzes historical job data, tracking cost trends, labor efficiencies, and pricing structures.
It continuously learns and refines its recommendations, ensuring estimates are based on the latest industry insights and real-time fluctuations in material costs.
AI Automates Reordering with Natural Language Processing
AI is also making job reordering easier than ever. Imagine a customer calling in and simply saying, “Reorder Job #1234 with the same specs” or “Reprint my last batch of flyers but change the date.”
With AI-driven speech-to-text technology, the system instantly captures and processes the request, eliminating the need for manual job searches and data entry. This streamlines customer service workflows and allows teams to process repeat orders effortlessly.
AI-Driven Error Detection Improves Profitability
AI-powered estimators detect errors before they become costly mistakes. They flag pricing inconsistencies, miscalculations, or material mismatches, ensuring that each quote is accurate and optimized for profitability.
By automating these checks, businesses can reduce waste, improve margins, and minimize rework.
Next-Generation Reporting for Smarter Decision-Making
With AI-powered reporting, businesses can move beyond static reports and use natural language processing to get real-time insights. Instead of running a standard report, a user can simply ask the system:
“Where am I likely to have an inventory shortfall in the next two weeks?”
“Which customers have had order fluctuations of more than 15% year over year?”
AI processes active estimates, invoices, and historical sales trends, offering data-driven insights that help businesses make better strategic decisions.
AI in Action: The iQuote Advantage
Understanding AI’s potential is one thing—leveraging it effectively is another. That’s where iQuote, part of Print ePS’s portfolio, comes in.
iQuote is an AI-powered estimating solution designed specifically for the print industry. Here’s how it transforms estimating:
- Natural Language Estimating – Users can type or speak job details, and iQuote finds the closest matching estimate or suggests pricing.
- Smart Recommendations – AI-driven insights suggest the most cost-effective production methods and materials.
- Real-Time Scenario Analysis – Users can instantly compare different job configurations.
- Built-In Error Detection – AI automatically flags inconsistencies before they impact profitability.
- Seamless Integration – Works alongside existing ERP, MIS, and CRM systems, including Pace and Monarch.
- Cloud-Based Accessibility – Enables estimating from anywhere, improving operational flexibility.
With iQuote, print businesses can speed up estimating, reduce manual data entry, and win more jobs—all while maintaining accuracy and profitability.
AI is the Future of Print Estimating. Are You Ready?
AI isn’t just a trend. It’s a fundamental shift in how print businesses operate.
Print ePS is committed to responsible AI adoption, ensuring that AI is secure, accurate, and designed to enhance decision-making, not replace it.
AI-powered estimating is just the beginning. From intelligent reordering workflows to advanced reporting and creative automation, Print ePS is shaping the future of print industry innovation.
Are you ready to transform your estimating process?
Don’t let competitors outpace you. Explore iQuote today and see how AI-driven estimating can elevate your print business.
